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Annmarie Alongi at Realty ONE Group Dockside — What to Know Before You Call

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

Who Annmarie Alongi is and what she does

Annmarie Alongi is a real estate agent with Realty ONE Group Dockside, a brokerage operating in South Carolina's coastal markets. She works with buyers and sellers on residential property transactions, which means she helps clients navigate listing, showing, negotiating, and closing on homes. Her role is to represent your interests during the buying or selling process — not to provide legal or financial advice, and not to act as a neutral party between you and the other side.

Realty ONE Group Dockside is an independent brokerage franchise, not a national chain. That structure means the office operates under its own management and policies, though it follows Realty ONE Group's brand standards and training systems. Understanding which brokerage an agent works for matters because it determines which multiple listing service (MLS) they access, what support systems they have behind them, and which properties they can show you.

Key Takeaways

  • Annmarie Alongi represents either the buyer or the seller in a transaction, not both — her loyalty and legal duty run to whichever side hired her.
  • Realty ONE Group Dockside is a local brokerage, so asking about their market knowledge, recent sales data, and how long they have been operating in your specific area is fair.
  • Real estate agents in South Carolina must hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Real Estate Commission and follow the state's property disclosure and contract laws.
  • Commission rates, marketing plans, and contract terms are negotiable — you should discuss these directly with Annmarie or her broker before signing anything.
  • If you are buying, you typically do not pay the agent's commission directly; if you are selling, the commission usually comes from the sale proceeds and is split between listing and buyer's agents.

What to ask before hiring her

Before you sign a listing agreement or buyer representation contract, ask Annmarie directly about her experience in your specific neighborhood or price range. Real estate markets in South Carolina vary sharply — a Lowcountry waterfront market works differently than an upstate suburban market, and an agent strong in one may not be the right fit for another. Ask how many homes she has sold in the past year, what the average days-on-market were, and whether she has experience with the type of property you are buying or selling.

Ask about her marketing plan if you are selling. Will she list the home on the MLS? Will she use photography, video, or virtual tours? Does she have a buyer database she will contact directly? Will she hold open houses, and if so, how often? These details matter because they affect how many people see your home and how quickly it sells.

Ask about her commission structure and whether it is negotiable. South Carolina law does not set commission rates — they are set by agreement between you and your agent. The standard in many markets is around 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent, but this is not fixed. If you are selling, you can negotiate the rate. If you are buying, you typically do not pay commission out of pocket, but you should understand how your agent is compensated and whether that creates any conflict of interest.

How agent representation works in South Carolina

In South Carolina, a real estate agent represents either the buyer or the seller, not both. This is called single agency. If Annmarie is your listing agent, she owes her legal duty to you as the seller, even if she is friendly with the buyer. If she is your buyer's agent, she owes her duty to you as the buyer. This matters because it determines whose interests come first when there is a conflict.

Some agents work as transaction brokers, which is a different legal role. A transaction broker does not represent either party — instead, they facilitate the deal and owe duties to both sides equally. This is less common but does happen. Ask Annmarie which role she is taking before you sign anything, because it changes what you can expect from her.

South Carolina requires all real estate agents to disclose their representation status in writing before or at the time of the first substantive contact. If you have not received this disclosure, ask for it. It should be clear, in plain language, and should explain what "representing you" actually means in your state.

What South Carolina law requires from agents

Real estate agents in South Carolina must hold an active license from the South Carolina Real Estate Commission and follow the state's property disclosure laws. When a home is listed for sale, the seller must provide a Property Condition Disclosure Statement to any buyer who makes an offer. This is a legal document, not optional, and it requires the seller to disclose known defects, water damage, structural issues, and other material facts about the property.

Annmarie, as an agent, cannot tell a seller to hide information or lie on the disclosure. She also cannot misrepresent a property to a buyer. If she knows something is wrong with a house and does not disclose it, she can lose her license and face legal liability. This is one reason it matters to work with a licensed agent — they have skin in the game and legal consequences if they act dishonestly.

South Carolina also requires that all real estate contracts be in writing and signed by both parties. Verbal agreements do not hold up. If you are buying or selling, make sure everything is documented in a written contract before money changes hands or you take any action based on the deal.

How to verify her license and background

You can verify that Annmarie holds a current real estate license by visiting the South Carolina Real Estate Commission website and using their license lookup tool. Search by name or license number. The lookup will tell you whether her license is active, when it was issued, and whether there are any disciplinary actions on record.

You can also ask Annmarie directly for her license number and brokerage information. A legitimate agent will provide this without hesitation. If she avoids the question or seems evasive, that is a red flag.

Beyond the license, you can ask for references from past clients — people she has worked with in the past year or two. A good agent will have clients willing to speak about their experience. You can also check online reviews on Google, Zillow, or the Better Business Bureau, though remember that reviews are subjective and some may not reflect the full picture.

What happens if something goes wrong

If you believe Annmarie has violated South Carolina real estate law or acted unethically, you can file a complaint with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. The commission investigates complaints and can take disciplinary action, including fining an agent, suspending their license, or revoking it entirely. You do not need a lawyer to file a complaint, though you may want one if the issue involves money or a failed transaction.

If you have a contract dispute — for example, if you believe an agent misrepresented a property or breached a listing agreement — you may also have grounds for a civil lawsuit. This is separate from the licensing complaint and would require you to hire an attorney. Many real estate disputes are resolved through mediation before they reach court, so ask your attorney whether that is an option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Annmarie as my agent if I am buying and also selling at the same time?

Yes, but only if she represents you in both transactions separately. She cannot represent both you and the other party in the same deal. If you are selling one home and buying another, she can be your agent for both — but she owes her full duty to you in each transaction. Make sure this is clear in writing before you start.

What if I want to work with Annmarie but I am not sure about the price or terms yet?

You do not have to sign anything before you are ready. You can interview agents, ask questions, and take time to decide. Once you are ready to list or make an offer, you will sign a representation agreement. Until then, you are just gathering information. Be honest with agents about where you are in the process so they can manage their time accordingly.

Does Realty ONE Group Dockside handle all types of property sales?

Most residential brokerages handle single-family homes, condos, and small multifamily properties. Some also handle commercial or investment properties, but not all. Ask Annmarie or her broker directly whether they have experience with the type of property you are interested in. If they do not, they can often refer you to an agent who does.

What should I do if I disagree with Annmarie's advice about price or marketing?

You are the client, and you make the final decision. If you are selling, you set the listing price — the agent advises based on comparable sales and market conditions, but you decide. If you disagree with her recommendation, ask her to explain her reasoning and provide the data she is using. If you still disagree, you can list at your price or find a different agent. The same applies to marketing decisions and other aspects of the agreement.

Can I negotiate the terms of the listing agreement or buyer representation contract?

Yes. These are contracts between you and the agent, and most terms are negotiable — including commission rate, length of the agreement, marketing plan, and what happens if you want to end the relationship early. Do not assume the first offer is final. Ask what is and is not negotiable, and get everything in writing before you sign.